[[Image:Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States.png|thumb|right|350px|Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States]]

+

[[Image:Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States.png|thumb|center|350px]]

== Use Histories To... ==

== Use Histories To... ==

−

+

Effective family research requires some understanding of the historical events that may have affected your family and the records about them. Learning about wars, governments, laws, migrations, and religious trends may help you understand political boundaries, family movements, and settlement patterns. These events may have led to the creation of records that your family was listed in, such as [[United States Land and Property|land]] and [[United States Military Records|military documents]].<br>

−

Effective family research requires some understanding of the historical events that may have affected your family and the records about them. Learning about wars, governments, laws, migrations, and religious trends may help you understand political boundaries, family movements, and settlement patterns. These events may have led to the creation of records that your family was listed in, such as [[Portal:United States Land and Property|land]] and [[United States Military Records|military documents]].<br>

+

== Did You Know... ==

== Did You Know... ==

+

See [https://www.familysearch.org/learningcenter/lesson/county-histories-and-your-family/36 ''County Histories and Your Family''] in the FamilySearch Learning Center.

Histories are great sources of genealogical information. Many contain biographical information about individuals who lived in the area, including:

Histories are great sources of genealogical information. Many contain biographical information about individuals who lived in the area, including:

Line 26:

Line 25:

*[[US Military Basic Search Strategies|Military service]]

*[[US Military Basic Search Strategies|Military service]]

*Descendants

*Descendants

−

*[[Portal:Tracing Immigrant Origins|Tracing Immigrant Origins]]

+

*[[Tracing Immigrant Origins|Tracing Immigrant Origins]]

|}

|}

== Select A Time Period to Research ==

== Select A Time Period to Research ==

−

When we chart history, it is often done in the form of a timeline. Timelines are also useful when following the events of a person's life. As you research, you could create a [[US Timelines - Creation and Use with Families|timeline]] for your ancestors. <br>

−

The following historical timelines may help direct you as to why your ancestors made the choices that they did.

+

When we chart history, it is often done in the form of a timeline. Timelines are also useful when following the events of a person's life. As you research, you could create a [[US Timelines - Creation and Use with Families|timeline]] for your ancestors. <br><br> The following historical timelines may help direct you as to why your ancestors made the choices that they did.

*[[Civil War and Reconstruction 1859-1875|Civil War and Reconstruction (1859-1875)]]

−

*The Gilded Age (1876-1900)

+

*[[The Gilded Age 1876-1900|The Gilded Age (1876-1900)]]

−

*19th Century (1900-present)

+

*[[20th Century 1901-2000|20th Century (1901-2000)]]

|}

|}

+

+

For additional information about United States Timelines click [[United States Timeline|here]].

== Local Histories ==

== Local Histories ==

Line 55:

Line 55:

Most county and town histories include separate sections or volumes containing biographical information. These may include information on as many as 50 percent or more of the families in the locality.

Most county and town histories include separate sections or volumes containing biographical information. These may include information on as many as 50 percent or more of the families in the locality.

−

In addition, local histories should be studied and enjoyed for the background information they can provide about your family's life-style and the community and environment in which your family lived.

+

In addition, local histories should be studied and enjoyed for the background information they can provide about your family's life-style and the community and environment in which your family lived. About 5,000 county histories have been published for over 80 percent of the counties in the United States.

−

About 5,000 county histories have been published for over 80 percent of the counties in the United States. Thousands of these county histories were published as part of the U.S. Centennial Celebration of 1876. A small fee was charged to be included in these biographical sketches which kept a few residents from participating, but most did.

+

Thousands of county histories were published as part of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centennial_Exposition U.S. Centennial Celebration of 1876]. A small fee was charged to be included in these biographical sketches which kept just a few residents from participating.

For many counties there is more than one history. In addition, tens of thousands of histories have been written about local towns and communities. Bibliographies that list these histories are available for nearly every state. See the search method below for Bibliographies.

For many counties there is more than one history. In addition, tens of thousands of histories have been written about local towns and communities. Bibliographies that list these histories are available for nearly every state. See the search method below for Bibliographies.

Line 64:

Line 64:

*P. William Filby, ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/12356760&referer=brief_results A Bibliography of American County Histories]'' (Baltimore: Genealogical Publ., 1985). [FHL book 973 H2bi].

*P. William Filby, ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/12356760&referer=brief_results A Bibliography of American County Histories]'' (Baltimore: Genealogical Publ., 1985). [FHL book 973 H2bi].

*[http://www.lib.byu.edu/fhc/index.php The Family History Archive] includes histories of families, county and local histories and much more.

*[http://www.lib.byu.edu/fhc/index.php The Family History Archive] includes histories of families, county and local histories and much more.

+

*[http://www3.gendisasters.com/ GenDisasters], a look back at the events that touched our ancestor's lives - tornadoes, fires, floods, hurricanes, train wrecks, mine explosions, and tragic accidents that became a part of history and our genealogy. Use the links to take you to the types of disasters... or use by location to view catastrophes by state... or try the search box.

You can find national, state, or local histories of the [[Portal:United States of America|United States]] in the [[Family History Library Catalog Place Search|Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog]] under one of the following:

+

You can find national, state, or local histories of the [[United States of America|United States]] in the [[Family History Library Catalog Place Search|Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog]] under one of the following:

::UNITED STATES - HISTORY

::UNITED STATES - HISTORY

Line 142:

Line 146:

== Things you can do ==

== Things you can do ==

−

In order to make this wiki a better research tool, we need your help! Many tasks need to be done. You can help by:<br>

+

In order to make this wiki a better research tool, we need your help! Many tasks need to be done. You can help by:<br>

Revision as of 10:50, 28 March 2012

Contents

Use Histories To...

Effective family research requires some understanding of the historical events that may have affected your family and the records about them. Learning about wars, governments, laws, migrations, and religious trends may help you understand political boundaries, family movements, and settlement patterns. These events may have led to the creation of records that your family was listed in, such as land and military documents.

Select A Time Period to Research

When we chart history, it is often done in the form of a timeline. Timelines are also useful when following the events of a person's life. As you research, you could create a timeline for your ancestors.

The following historical timelines may help direct you as to why your ancestors made the choices that they did.

Local Histories

Some of the most valuable sources for family history research are local histories. Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain accounts of families. They describe the settlement of the area and the founding of churches, schools, and businesses. You can also find lists of pioneers, soldiers, and civil officials. Even if your ancestor is not listed, information on other relatives may be included that will provide important clues for locating your ancestor. A local history may also suggest other records to search.

Most county and town histories include separate sections or volumes containing biographical information. These may include information on as many as 50 percent or more of the families in the locality.

In addition, local histories should be studied and enjoyed for the background information they can provide about your family's life-style and the community and environment in which your family lived. About 5,000 county histories have been published for over 80 percent of the counties in the United States.

Thousands of county histories were published as part of the U.S. Centennial Celebration of 1876. A small fee was charged to be included in these biographical sketches which kept just a few residents from participating.

For many counties there is more than one history. In addition, tens of thousands of histories have been written about local towns and communities. Bibliographies that list these histories are available for nearly every state. See the search method below for Bibliographies.

Local histories are extensively collected by the Family History Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies. Two useful guides are:

GenDisasters, a look back at the events that touched our ancestor's lives - tornadoes, fires, floods, hurricanes, train wrecks, mine explosions, and tragic accidents that became a part of history and our genealogy. Use the links to take you to the types of disasters... or use by location to view catastrophes by state... or try the search box.